I was having coffee with a friend this week. As with many conversations with friends as it turns to business I was discussing the similarities and differences in my industry and hers. As with most people and industries I am familiar with we were discussing the increased competition and diminishing distribution options due to the prolonged downturn in business over the last 5 years. She told me, "hey, you should write about the lessons you've learned over the last 5 years. I bet a lot of people in your situation would be interested to hear how you are overcoming the challenges you've been faced with over the last several years. My response? "Um, I kind of already do that." Then I gave her the name of my blog.
Even though I am approaching a milestone birthday early next year I am happy to say I still try and usually manage to do quite well learning something every day. The last few years I have been working on a PhD from the school of Hard Knocks. Here are a couple of lessons to discuss briefly this week. Creativity and resourcefulness.
Creativity has always been important no matter what you do. You need to stand out from the crowd and do more things to get noticed. This is never more true than in 2013 when terms like IMing, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest - words that did not exist in our vocabulary just a few years ago- demand that you be different and act different if you are going to make a difference. I call it BAM but you can call it whatever you want as long as you're doing whatever you can to make sure you remain relevant to your customers or audience or whoever you are trying to appeal to.
There are plenty of people and companies out there that continue to operate in the arena of insanity trying to do the same thing they have done for years and expecting different results. Good luck with that in 2013! What are you doing to get noticed? What other industries are you seeing breakthrough ideas that could be incorporated in to yours? How are you changing to meet the needs of your customers? Do you know what your customer's needs are?
Resourcefulness is also a key to success in the future. I define resourcefulness as making more out of less. Maybe it means something different to you but the truth is I bet you wish you had more customers to sell to and less competitors vying to earn their business. The reality is how can you become a more valuable and trusted resource to the customers you have? Better yet, which customers earn you the most profit? What can you do to become a key resource for those customers? What other customers exist that posses the same characteristics that can earn you higher margins.
We don't necessarily need more customers but we need to maximize business with our best customers. How often are you communicating with your best customers? Are you part of their planning process for the future or are you working backwards and hoping to sell something? Anything?! That's a tough way to make a living today.
Combining the strengths of creativity and resourcefulness will lead you to ask questions in new ways, look at problems and resolutions from different angles and bring results that will deliver long-lasting results. It's not easy but it beats doing nothing. I guarantee you'll learn a few things along the way.
Friday, July 19, 2013
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Turn the Page
I spoke to a customer of mine last week. He has been a customer of ours for as long as I can remember. And well he should have been as his family shoes store has been run by three generations of his family for 103 years. It's a great story of blood, sweat and tears all rolled in to a business that has not only supported a hard working family but a small town in South Carolina during celebrations and special events since before World War I.
Next month they are closing their doors for good.
It's a stark reality that the mom and pop community stores are being replaced by discount stores, big box retailers and the Internet. As one of my colleagues reflected well, "it's the end of an era." Now, I am not here to lament the demise of the solely owned proprietorship in America. Time and progress marches on and business - big business - is still being done every day. It's just being done in very different ways. Our challenge is will we adjust to market changes or will we succumb to them?
It's an easy question to ask and the answer presumably comes quickly, however just going with the flow and relying on past successes may delay the inevitable but eventually you will end up in the same place. The more difficult questions really are much more difficult to ask and even harder to answer. Where is your market going? What changes must we make to not only keep up with the market but also to affect the market overall. Note well, the days of mimicking competitors and hoping to win on better features and benefits (price) are over. Don't believe me? Consider a few examples:
All of this is not meant to scare or intimidate you. It is an encouragement to do something rather than sit idly by while your business gets changed by something beyond your control. I have two words for you. Market. Intelligence.
Definition: If you don't know what is going on in your market and what is going on with your customers you better find out. You better know and observe their business and find ways to help them before someone else does. The days of just turning on the lights in the morning and giving your customers good service while providing a good product are over. You better turn the page and see your business in a whole new light. Before your competitors turn yours out for you.
Next month they are closing their doors for good.
It's a stark reality that the mom and pop community stores are being replaced by discount stores, big box retailers and the Internet. As one of my colleagues reflected well, "it's the end of an era." Now, I am not here to lament the demise of the solely owned proprietorship in America. Time and progress marches on and business - big business - is still being done every day. It's just being done in very different ways. Our challenge is will we adjust to market changes or will we succumb to them?
It's an easy question to ask and the answer presumably comes quickly, however just going with the flow and relying on past successes may delay the inevitable but eventually you will end up in the same place. The more difficult questions really are much more difficult to ask and even harder to answer. Where is your market going? What changes must we make to not only keep up with the market but also to affect the market overall. Note well, the days of mimicking competitors and hoping to win on better features and benefits (price) are over. Don't believe me? Consider a few examples:
- Who would have thought 20 years ago that people would line up on nearly every street corner to pay $3.00 for the "experience" of buying a cup of coffee?
- How did an entire industry resist the opportunity to "unbundle" album sales and put their customers in control of what music they wanted to listen to and buy? Why did it take a technology company named after a fruit to figure that out?
- What possessed newspaper and magazines to resist putting content online until people did it for them and put many of them out of business and/or on the brink of bankruptcy?
All of this is not meant to scare or intimidate you. It is an encouragement to do something rather than sit idly by while your business gets changed by something beyond your control. I have two words for you. Market. Intelligence.
Definition: If you don't know what is going on in your market and what is going on with your customers you better find out. You better know and observe their business and find ways to help them before someone else does. The days of just turning on the lights in the morning and giving your customers good service while providing a good product are over. You better turn the page and see your business in a whole new light. Before your competitors turn yours out for you.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
What would you give?
This past weekend I was thinking and teaching a little bit about sacrifice. When I asked some young men I was speaking to to define sacrifice for me I got a very interesting answer that I was ready to brush aside but in an instant I realized the genius his answer contained. The old saying, from the mouths of babes comes to mind. He would be offended if I called him a child as he is in fact a young teen aged man, however the point is he more clearly than I was able gave an outstanding definition of what making a personal sacrifice means.
In a nutshell, here was his definition. "It's like when you make like a sacrifice bunt in baseball so that the other guy can like move up and your team has like a chance to score more runs." I love that he used a baseball analogy. And I also think he like likes me but I'm not here to dissect teen speak. Read that definition again. Do you see what I see? Genius. Here is my take on what my young friend taught me.
A person who is willing to give himself up in order to help out the team is making a sacrifice. Wow! So many applications, so little time. In a culture focused on self and all the rewards and accolades we can accumulate for ourselves in the shortest amount of time, rare and few are those who are willing to give up their own personal gain for the betterment of the larger "team." Which teams do you play on? Your family? Your business or your department at work? Your neighborhood, your city, your country? Whether we want to admit and realize it or not we all are important members of many teams. Take a few minutes and jot down the names of your teams. I have at least a dozen I can think of right away, how about you?
The obvious next step then is to identify your role on each team. Easy enough. Once you have done that, here is where few are eager to progress beyond. What are you willing to give of yourself for the greater good of the team? Are you willing to give up your own personal gain so that the whole team wins? Most of us would probably say "yes" because it's the "right" answer, however when the rubber meets the road I wonder. It takes a long-term view and an attitude of putting off immediate gratification so that in the future the sacrifice gets turned in to a much bigger win.
Think of this simple example. I could go to the grocery store and buy a pint of my favorite ice cream and sit on the couch tonight watching TV while finishing off the pint. It feels good, it tastes good and I'm sure if I think about it long enough I can come up with a reason why I deserve to reward myself. If, however I don't go to the store and go to the gym instead of watching TV in the long run I am going to look better, feel better and do a better job in all of my roles on all of my teams.
The analogies are endless. I'm sure you can easily think of many others that apply to you and your situations. The only question remaining is what would you give? You may never see the rewards, you may never hear the accolades but you will know that by your sacrifice you enabled the team to go farther than they could have gone otherwise. May you bunt your way to victory!
In a nutshell, here was his definition. "It's like when you make like a sacrifice bunt in baseball so that the other guy can like move up and your team has like a chance to score more runs." I love that he used a baseball analogy. And I also think he like likes me but I'm not here to dissect teen speak. Read that definition again. Do you see what I see? Genius. Here is my take on what my young friend taught me.
A person who is willing to give himself up in order to help out the team is making a sacrifice. Wow! So many applications, so little time. In a culture focused on self and all the rewards and accolades we can accumulate for ourselves in the shortest amount of time, rare and few are those who are willing to give up their own personal gain for the betterment of the larger "team." Which teams do you play on? Your family? Your business or your department at work? Your neighborhood, your city, your country? Whether we want to admit and realize it or not we all are important members of many teams. Take a few minutes and jot down the names of your teams. I have at least a dozen I can think of right away, how about you?
The obvious next step then is to identify your role on each team. Easy enough. Once you have done that, here is where few are eager to progress beyond. What are you willing to give of yourself for the greater good of the team? Are you willing to give up your own personal gain so that the whole team wins? Most of us would probably say "yes" because it's the "right" answer, however when the rubber meets the road I wonder. It takes a long-term view and an attitude of putting off immediate gratification so that in the future the sacrifice gets turned in to a much bigger win.
Think of this simple example. I could go to the grocery store and buy a pint of my favorite ice cream and sit on the couch tonight watching TV while finishing off the pint. It feels good, it tastes good and I'm sure if I think about it long enough I can come up with a reason why I deserve to reward myself. If, however I don't go to the store and go to the gym instead of watching TV in the long run I am going to look better, feel better and do a better job in all of my roles on all of my teams.
The analogies are endless. I'm sure you can easily think of many others that apply to you and your situations. The only question remaining is what would you give? You may never see the rewards, you may never hear the accolades but you will know that by your sacrifice you enabled the team to go farther than they could have gone otherwise. May you bunt your way to victory!
Friday, April 5, 2013
April Fools
Wow! Here we are already. I hate to alarm you but 2013 is already 1/3 of the way over. I hope you're still not getting over you Holiday hangover or thinking about pulling out your New Year's resolutions to take a look at them for the first time since, oh about January 5th. Welcome to April and welcome to the fast paced world of business that moves even quicker than the weeks and months on a calendar.
It's a recurring theme but I continue to be amazed at how quickly and drastically my business is changing each and every year and honestly every month. I had a planning session with the key leaders of our company at the beginning of January and several of the objectives we outlined to work on this year have already been changed due to a change in our market or our customers. I cannot imagine the same is not true for all of you.
If you're not sure then I suggest you do as I am attempting to do and break away from the daily grind of your desk or your office and get out in to the market and see what's going on with your customers and with their customers. I bet you will be surprised by at least a few things you didn't realize. I also bet you'll come away with some insights in to how to make your products or services better. Personally I'd rather spend all day in the field doing market research than I had running from meeting to meeting within my office making plans for things that may change before I get them implemented. Don't think things are changing that fast? Then I suggest you need a new pair of shoes (feel free to order them from me) so you can run faster.
Ahead of the curve is the new normal if you want to be successful in this fast changing world. Last year's can't miss is this year's can't figure it out. What's next? I don't know but I am guessing you're not going to figure it out by working longer hours and scheduling more meetings. You can't feel a heartbeat if you don't have your finger on the pulse. I don't know what that means for you specifically but I certainly would recommend you find out - soon.
I love spring - my favorite time of the year. Lots of new beginnings, new opportunities and fresh approaches. Now is a great time to take advantage of the ones you have. Maybe April showers will bring May flowers but I really hope this month won't turn you in to an April fool.
It's a recurring theme but I continue to be amazed at how quickly and drastically my business is changing each and every year and honestly every month. I had a planning session with the key leaders of our company at the beginning of January and several of the objectives we outlined to work on this year have already been changed due to a change in our market or our customers. I cannot imagine the same is not true for all of you.
If you're not sure then I suggest you do as I am attempting to do and break away from the daily grind of your desk or your office and get out in to the market and see what's going on with your customers and with their customers. I bet you will be surprised by at least a few things you didn't realize. I also bet you'll come away with some insights in to how to make your products or services better. Personally I'd rather spend all day in the field doing market research than I had running from meeting to meeting within my office making plans for things that may change before I get them implemented. Don't think things are changing that fast? Then I suggest you need a new pair of shoes (feel free to order them from me) so you can run faster.
Ahead of the curve is the new normal if you want to be successful in this fast changing world. Last year's can't miss is this year's can't figure it out. What's next? I don't know but I am guessing you're not going to figure it out by working longer hours and scheduling more meetings. You can't feel a heartbeat if you don't have your finger on the pulse. I don't know what that means for you specifically but I certainly would recommend you find out - soon.
I love spring - my favorite time of the year. Lots of new beginnings, new opportunities and fresh approaches. Now is a great time to take advantage of the ones you have. Maybe April showers will bring May flowers but I really hope this month won't turn you in to an April fool.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Movie Magic
Like many of you I suspect, I watched with at least a fair amount of interest the Academy Awards a couple of weeks ago. It seems to me that next to the Super Bowl the Academy Awards Show has become the most popular television event in our country. Heck, my wife even decided to throw an Academy Awards watching party at our house that evening. The only thing difference between it and our Super Bowl watching party is I didn't need to spend an hour on the treadmill the morning after working off all of the "tailgate" food from the football game.
It got me thinking, why has this event become so popular? It wasn't always this way, at least not that I remember. Sure, I think media hype has vaulted all kinds of things in to our consciousness that weren't there before but this is different. Like the Super Bowl, every television, radio, newspaper and Internet site was abuzz the morning after discussing the results of the Awards. How did the movies become so popular? From what I have read, box office receipts are not increasing by any great stretch. There must be something(s) else in place that has made it a must watch event.
Not only has the show itself become an enigma but now the stars arriving on the red carpet was televised for an hour and a half before the awards ever started. Just like we watch the Super Bowl to see who has the best commercials, we're now watching to see which star has the most awesome dress, the most beautiful shoes and whose hair looked amazing. While it would be easy to be critical and write this off as a nonsensical event, it's getting hard to ignore. Are there some lessons we can learn from the movie industry? At least a few I can think of....
First, some of the attraction must be the ability to see Hollywood stars out of their normal element. To see them as real people with families, hopes, dreams. Just like us. In today's world of IM, email, texting and reduced spending for marketing our customers and constituents need to see us and need to see us be real. Meet with them, talk with them and find out what's happening with them. In short, be approachable and be helpful.
Also, be unpredictable and spontaneous. Oh, if only we could get all of our prospects and customers to pay attention to us. How many times have you lamented your inability to reach a customer or prospect. Be different, get noticed. Like Seth McFarlane you may fall on your face every now and then but you won't be boring.
Finally, be passionate. There is no substitute for hard work. it's easy to look at successful people and think they have it made but when you listen to their stories you realize how hard they had to work and how much they had to risk to get where they are. They outworked and out husteld the other person to become a household name. Are you thinking about leaving a mark or just admiring others who have?
I don't go to the movies often and I certainly don't always agree with the messages and causes that some in Hollywood portray. But like everything else in life there is diamonds to be mined from observing Hollywood. They give us the stars and it's up to us to make the magic.
It got me thinking, why has this event become so popular? It wasn't always this way, at least not that I remember. Sure, I think media hype has vaulted all kinds of things in to our consciousness that weren't there before but this is different. Like the Super Bowl, every television, radio, newspaper and Internet site was abuzz the morning after discussing the results of the Awards. How did the movies become so popular? From what I have read, box office receipts are not increasing by any great stretch. There must be something(s) else in place that has made it a must watch event.
Not only has the show itself become an enigma but now the stars arriving on the red carpet was televised for an hour and a half before the awards ever started. Just like we watch the Super Bowl to see who has the best commercials, we're now watching to see which star has the most awesome dress, the most beautiful shoes and whose hair looked amazing. While it would be easy to be critical and write this off as a nonsensical event, it's getting hard to ignore. Are there some lessons we can learn from the movie industry? At least a few I can think of....
First, some of the attraction must be the ability to see Hollywood stars out of their normal element. To see them as real people with families, hopes, dreams. Just like us. In today's world of IM, email, texting and reduced spending for marketing our customers and constituents need to see us and need to see us be real. Meet with them, talk with them and find out what's happening with them. In short, be approachable and be helpful.
Also, be unpredictable and spontaneous. Oh, if only we could get all of our prospects and customers to pay attention to us. How many times have you lamented your inability to reach a customer or prospect. Be different, get noticed. Like Seth McFarlane you may fall on your face every now and then but you won't be boring.
Finally, be passionate. There is no substitute for hard work. it's easy to look at successful people and think they have it made but when you listen to their stories you realize how hard they had to work and how much they had to risk to get where they are. They outworked and out husteld the other person to become a household name. Are you thinking about leaving a mark or just admiring others who have?
I don't go to the movies often and I certainly don't always agree with the messages and causes that some in Hollywood portray. But like everything else in life there is diamonds to be mined from observing Hollywood. They give us the stars and it's up to us to make the magic.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Never Say Never
I just returned from yet another trade show. Last week I was in Las Vegas. My show season is about finished and I am reflecting on all the good things that have happened over the past few weeks. I am extremely grateful to work in an industry that is very close nit and supportive, even amongst competitors. There is no substitute for going to industry trade shows and renewing old friendships and acquaintances. It makes all the hard work in between pay off.
Like many other industries, our industry has consolidated tremendously over the last several years. Meaning that there are too many suppliers trying to sell to too few customers. Translation: competition is fierce and without a clear point of difference and competitive advantage over any number of similar companies I am toast. It's enough to keep me up at night and focusing on continuously improving my products and services!
In order to do this I've had to break a lot of old models that frankly were the backbone of my business for many (profitable) years. What worked three years ago, heck last year, well, actually, last month doesn't necessarily work today. Sound familiar?
If so, I have a couple of thoughts and suggestions. If you're still trying to operate under the tried and true model of years gone by you are getting passed by quickly. What worked before has been forever changed by technology, market efficiencies and consumer behavior. I would almost guarantee you the way customers evaluate and buy your products has changed drastically. The question is have you changed how you produce, market and sell to keep up with customer's desires?
If your web site doesn't rock your customer's and prospect's socks off then I suggest you do what I've done and get an all hands on deck meeting together to make it so. Quickly. I am convinced that a correctly designed and executed website is the most important sales and marketing tool that any of us have. It IS the way customers shop today.
The other thing that might make you a little uneasy is you may have to look to some of your competitors or customers as potential business partners. As I mentioned, my industry is pretty close nit and there aren't a lot of secrets so the other way to mix things up is to collaborate and contribute alongside people that you have always considered unable or incapable of helping you. It is truly important who you know but I believe it is becoming increasingly important to focus on what you know and who can help you learn and make things happen.
This makes for some uncomfortable decisions and ideas. The only thing that makes less sense is status quo. If you're not in the habit of challenging it then I suggest you find a way to stop living in the past and be willing to take necessary calculated risks to impact your future. If you're my competitor, never mind. I'm sure you're doing just fine.
Like many other industries, our industry has consolidated tremendously over the last several years. Meaning that there are too many suppliers trying to sell to too few customers. Translation: competition is fierce and without a clear point of difference and competitive advantage over any number of similar companies I am toast. It's enough to keep me up at night and focusing on continuously improving my products and services!
In order to do this I've had to break a lot of old models that frankly were the backbone of my business for many (profitable) years. What worked three years ago, heck last year, well, actually, last month doesn't necessarily work today. Sound familiar?
If so, I have a couple of thoughts and suggestions. If you're still trying to operate under the tried and true model of years gone by you are getting passed by quickly. What worked before has been forever changed by technology, market efficiencies and consumer behavior. I would almost guarantee you the way customers evaluate and buy your products has changed drastically. The question is have you changed how you produce, market and sell to keep up with customer's desires?
If your web site doesn't rock your customer's and prospect's socks off then I suggest you do what I've done and get an all hands on deck meeting together to make it so. Quickly. I am convinced that a correctly designed and executed website is the most important sales and marketing tool that any of us have. It IS the way customers shop today.
The other thing that might make you a little uneasy is you may have to look to some of your competitors or customers as potential business partners. As I mentioned, my industry is pretty close nit and there aren't a lot of secrets so the other way to mix things up is to collaborate and contribute alongside people that you have always considered unable or incapable of helping you. It is truly important who you know but I believe it is becoming increasingly important to focus on what you know and who can help you learn and make things happen.
This makes for some uncomfortable decisions and ideas. The only thing that makes less sense is status quo. If you're not in the habit of challenging it then I suggest you find a way to stop living in the past and be willing to take necessary calculated risks to impact your future. If you're my competitor, never mind. I'm sure you're doing just fine.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Eye of the Storm
Last week I along with most members of my industry were in New York for an industry Trade Show. By divine intervention, dumb luck or a little of both I managed to get out before Snowmaggedon hit the Northeast the end of last week. Next week I do the same thing again in Las Vegas. Yes, February and August for me is my bi-annual Super Bowl. We launch new product lines and meet with most all of our customers to hopefully secure business for the future and ensure our long-term company profit and operation goals.
February and August are exhausting months. Lots of travel - which is a lot more work than it used to be - lots of early mornings, late nights and even sleepless nights in anticipation of making sure all of mine and my colleague's work is paid off by generating great results with and for my customers. It's enough to make a middle aged guy feel old!
This past weekend I also celebrated another birthday. As I have said to many friends and family "it is the last official birthday that I can claim to still be young." I'll leave that for you to figure out my age. As I enjoy my last year of youth I have to admit that I am finally gaining some wisdom and getting to the age where I can share wisdom instead of only seeking it.
My observation to share this week is that there is no substitute for preparation. If we all know when the storms of life were coming and could prepare ourselves I am convinced that we would be much better off. Of course, there are many twists and turns where we get blindsided by things and all we can do is to pick up the pieces. In those cases, I think it's not what happens to you but how you respond that defines who you are. Let me address the idea of preparation.
No matter what you do, in what occupation you find yourself, there are times we know in advance that a busy time is coming. For me, it's February and August. For my wife it's the end of the school year or the weeks leading up to Christmas. For accountants April 15 is looming large. You get the idea. For many years my tendency was to just "weather the storm" and then take the weeks after the storm to pick up the pieces and/or to just take a few weeks to slowly "recuperate" which really meant just sleepwalking through March and September.
I find that by planning ahead not only am I ready and prepared to perform at my peak during the storms but I also have plenty of energy left to devote to the "March and Septembers" of life. In other words, it helps me stay on an even keel. Now, I must admit that there was a lot more down time in my schedule before I started along this path, however my productivity and energy level is at an all time high.
it takes discipline. It takes commitment. Sometimes I still screw up and wish I would have prepared even better. Sometimes I just have to take a nap. Most importantly, I have time to focus on more important things and I am not always controlled by the urgent. I have put away my fire fighting gear and am working smarter and having more time for important things. Like enjoying my weekends. My focus is not surviving the looming storm but rather it's a hopeful mindset to prosper even during them. I would much rather be a storm trooper than a fire fighter!
February and August are exhausting months. Lots of travel - which is a lot more work than it used to be - lots of early mornings, late nights and even sleepless nights in anticipation of making sure all of mine and my colleague's work is paid off by generating great results with and for my customers. It's enough to make a middle aged guy feel old!
This past weekend I also celebrated another birthday. As I have said to many friends and family "it is the last official birthday that I can claim to still be young." I'll leave that for you to figure out my age. As I enjoy my last year of youth I have to admit that I am finally gaining some wisdom and getting to the age where I can share wisdom instead of only seeking it.
My observation to share this week is that there is no substitute for preparation. If we all know when the storms of life were coming and could prepare ourselves I am convinced that we would be much better off. Of course, there are many twists and turns where we get blindsided by things and all we can do is to pick up the pieces. In those cases, I think it's not what happens to you but how you respond that defines who you are. Let me address the idea of preparation.
No matter what you do, in what occupation you find yourself, there are times we know in advance that a busy time is coming. For me, it's February and August. For my wife it's the end of the school year or the weeks leading up to Christmas. For accountants April 15 is looming large. You get the idea. For many years my tendency was to just "weather the storm" and then take the weeks after the storm to pick up the pieces and/or to just take a few weeks to slowly "recuperate" which really meant just sleepwalking through March and September.
I find that by planning ahead not only am I ready and prepared to perform at my peak during the storms but I also have plenty of energy left to devote to the "March and Septembers" of life. In other words, it helps me stay on an even keel. Now, I must admit that there was a lot more down time in my schedule before I started along this path, however my productivity and energy level is at an all time high.
it takes discipline. It takes commitment. Sometimes I still screw up and wish I would have prepared even better. Sometimes I just have to take a nap. Most importantly, I have time to focus on more important things and I am not always controlled by the urgent. I have put away my fire fighting gear and am working smarter and having more time for important things. Like enjoying my weekends. My focus is not surviving the looming storm but rather it's a hopeful mindset to prosper even during them. I would much rather be a storm trooper than a fire fighter!
Friday, January 25, 2013
I wish I was 13
This past weekend my wife and I had a sleep over with eleven 13 year old seventh grade boys. We agreed for the second year in a row to be a host home for a group of young men from our church who were having a weekend retreat between church and our house. I have certainly had my fill of pizza, chips, soda, cookies and any other food that would make a teenage boy stay up until the wee hours of the morning and clog the arteries of a "middle aged" guy trying to act like he's still a teenager. They arrived Friday night and we took them up to church Sunday morning for services. We ate a lot, laughed a lot, prayed a lot and slept very little. Man, I miss those guys!
Don't feel too sorry for me - I have three teenagers of my own to keep me company. They came home Sunday afternoon from other people's houses where they spent the weekend. There was a lot of napping going on Sunday afternoon during the football games.
It wasn't that hanging around with teenagers was an unusual experience, as previously mentioned. It is a little unusual to have eleven 13 year olds amped up on sugar and adrenaline spending the weekend. Boy, did my house go from chaotic in the morning to tranquil in the afternoon. As with everything, there were lessons to be learned from the weekend. I will avoid any religious discussions and focus on the life lessons I learned.
I try to always be thought provoking and insightful with my posts. This week, I have to confess I don't believe I am either. I do believe, however that we can all learn from any situation we find ourselves in. This weekend for me was no exception. Here are the huge take aways I am focusing on this week and encourage you to do likewise:
This weekend, go laugh a little. Don't focus on your worries - count your blessings. Among mine are my eleven new friends who taught me a thing or two. I wonder what they're doing this weekend?
Don't feel too sorry for me - I have three teenagers of my own to keep me company. They came home Sunday afternoon from other people's houses where they spent the weekend. There was a lot of napping going on Sunday afternoon during the football games.
It wasn't that hanging around with teenagers was an unusual experience, as previously mentioned. It is a little unusual to have eleven 13 year olds amped up on sugar and adrenaline spending the weekend. Boy, did my house go from chaotic in the morning to tranquil in the afternoon. As with everything, there were lessons to be learned from the weekend. I will avoid any religious discussions and focus on the life lessons I learned.
I try to always be thought provoking and insightful with my posts. This week, I have to confess I don't believe I am either. I do believe, however that we can all learn from any situation we find ourselves in. This weekend for me was no exception. Here are the huge take aways I am focusing on this week and encourage you to do likewise:
- Laugh more
- Worry less
- Have fun
This weekend, go laugh a little. Don't focus on your worries - count your blessings. Among mine are my eleven new friends who taught me a thing or two. I wonder what they're doing this weekend?
Thursday, January 10, 2013
New Beginnings
Happy New Year! I do love this time of the year having just closed out the Holiday season and then launching in to a New Year with a veritable clean slate an an opportunity to begin to grow in to new experiences and new goals. I am not in to New Year's resolutions but I am in to renewing my thoughts, plans and directions in order to arrive in a better place at the end of 2013 than I was at the end of 2012.
I don't know about you but my business is completely different than it was just a few year's ago. I talk to a lot of people in a lot of different industries and it is a common theme that competition is more fierce than it's ever been and there are seemingly less people to sell our products and services to. It makes times like these incredibly challenging. This year rather than hope I can get by for another year I am going on the offensive to change how I run my business and how I compete in the marketplace. Maybe you're like me and for many years you could get by being a "nice guy" and someone who provided good (not great) customer service. If that still works for you, good luck but I am going to suggest that you ratchet up your efforts because if your business has been affected yet by more competitors and less customers I suspect it's only a matter of time.
Here are a few challenges that I have for myself. I hope they'll resonate with you and cause you to change your course in the New Year:
I don't know about you but my business is completely different than it was just a few year's ago. I talk to a lot of people in a lot of different industries and it is a common theme that competition is more fierce than it's ever been and there are seemingly less people to sell our products and services to. It makes times like these incredibly challenging. This year rather than hope I can get by for another year I am going on the offensive to change how I run my business and how I compete in the marketplace. Maybe you're like me and for many years you could get by being a "nice guy" and someone who provided good (not great) customer service. If that still works for you, good luck but I am going to suggest that you ratchet up your efforts because if your business has been affected yet by more competitors and less customers I suspect it's only a matter of time.
Here are a few challenges that I have for myself. I hope they'll resonate with you and cause you to change your course in the New Year:
- How often do you talk to your best customers? Your most important vendors or suppliers? If they're not talking to you, who are they talking to that's trying to take your business away from you? Do you know what their goals are for the New Year?
- Are you focused on your company's needs or your customer's needs? Just because your a well run company doesn't mean that you're providing value to help meet customer's needs.
- While you're busy building in to your business, service or product are you equally focused on building up your co-workers and employees?
- Have you considered what you need to say "no" to this year so that you can say "yes" to the most important things that only you can do?
- Are you spending the majority of time working on areas of strength or trying to compensate for your weaknesses? There's a big difference in your performance and satisfaction on the job, depending on your answer.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Unspeakable
A lot of times I sit down to write this weekly post and the content just kind of flows. I have a general idea what I'm going to discuss and then I get a little inspired and the rest just kind of happens. This week I feel compelled to cover the unspeakable events from last week in Newtown, Connecticut, although I have never sat down to write a post with less of an idea what to say than I am today.
I am also asking myself why write about this? What value is there in discussing a deeply emotional and personal matter? How does it apply to my business associates, customers and contemporaries within and outside my industry? The answer is, at least at this moment, I have no idea. Maybe it's just therapy for me to express my shock and horror. I hope reading these words provide some ideas or maybe a little therapy for you.
I am the father of three teenage kids. I cannot imagine ever having to go through a similar tragedy with one of my kids. Unfortunately, I know many that have and I think that is one of those situations that you just don't know how to deal with it until you live through it. The human spirit is an amazing thing. Like any other parent and like some teachers and administrators did last week, I would sacrifice my life for any one of my kids without a second thought. It's human nature. We look out for those who cannot look out for themselves. Especially those we love.
There is a hard question that we need to know the answer to. The frustrating part is in a situation like this the question of WHY? doesn't have an answer. News and Social Media try to dig and find clues in to the lifestyles and personalities of assailants in these situations to see if we can form clues as to what could lead them to such heinous conclusions. The more we find out, the less sense it makes. And the angrier we get because someone has to get the blame.
Politicians, talking heads and people at the water color will now debate how to prevent these types of tragedies in the future. As our president deftly pointed out in his emotional address to the country, we have had to deal with far too many of these types of tragedies is recent years. All of us our interested in being part of the solution and many of us have or will weigh in on our stance regarding some of the issues that must be addressed such as gun control.
I have no interest in taking up such debate here. My interest is much more foundational and based upon principles that have been around as long as man has inhabited the earth. We have to reach out to others - especially those who are hurting - and show them we care. It's not easy. It's not convenient. It's not comfortable. It is paramount to helping not only those who are hurting but also to stop hurting others who are helpless.
These issues could be discussed for far longer and in far more detail than I can go in to in a few short paragraphs. I really don't know how to begin or end this topic. There are many more questions than answers. Arguments than resolutions. Problems than solutions.
I do know that as we prepare to celebrate Christmas and a New Year that we must aspire to be better to each other for the benefit of our schools, our states and our country. It's simplistic and perhaps a bit trite but to get back to basics I think Lennon and McCartney had it right:
All you need is love
Love is all you need
And as Old Ebeneezer said when realizing the error of his ways: God Bless us all!
I am also asking myself why write about this? What value is there in discussing a deeply emotional and personal matter? How does it apply to my business associates, customers and contemporaries within and outside my industry? The answer is, at least at this moment, I have no idea. Maybe it's just therapy for me to express my shock and horror. I hope reading these words provide some ideas or maybe a little therapy for you.
I am the father of three teenage kids. I cannot imagine ever having to go through a similar tragedy with one of my kids. Unfortunately, I know many that have and I think that is one of those situations that you just don't know how to deal with it until you live through it. The human spirit is an amazing thing. Like any other parent and like some teachers and administrators did last week, I would sacrifice my life for any one of my kids without a second thought. It's human nature. We look out for those who cannot look out for themselves. Especially those we love.
There is a hard question that we need to know the answer to. The frustrating part is in a situation like this the question of WHY? doesn't have an answer. News and Social Media try to dig and find clues in to the lifestyles and personalities of assailants in these situations to see if we can form clues as to what could lead them to such heinous conclusions. The more we find out, the less sense it makes. And the angrier we get because someone has to get the blame.
Politicians, talking heads and people at the water color will now debate how to prevent these types of tragedies in the future. As our president deftly pointed out in his emotional address to the country, we have had to deal with far too many of these types of tragedies is recent years. All of us our interested in being part of the solution and many of us have or will weigh in on our stance regarding some of the issues that must be addressed such as gun control.
I have no interest in taking up such debate here. My interest is much more foundational and based upon principles that have been around as long as man has inhabited the earth. We have to reach out to others - especially those who are hurting - and show them we care. It's not easy. It's not convenient. It's not comfortable. It is paramount to helping not only those who are hurting but also to stop hurting others who are helpless.
These issues could be discussed for far longer and in far more detail than I can go in to in a few short paragraphs. I really don't know how to begin or end this topic. There are many more questions than answers. Arguments than resolutions. Problems than solutions.
I do know that as we prepare to celebrate Christmas and a New Year that we must aspire to be better to each other for the benefit of our schools, our states and our country. It's simplistic and perhaps a bit trite but to get back to basics I think Lennon and McCartney had it right:
All you need is love
Love is all you need
And as Old Ebeneezer said when realizing the error of his ways: God Bless us all!
Thursday, December 13, 2012
The first Personal Mission Statement
Last week I discussed the Scout Law. Certainly a list of ideals that we wish every American would follow more judiciously. Our country would be a much better place to live if we all did. To wit and in review: A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Thrifty,
Cheerful, Brave, Clean and Reverent. Characteristics we could all stand to develop in the New Year.
This week, let's focus on the Scout Oath: On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight. I challenge you to find a better personal mission statement that has more compelling desired outcomes than that one in only a couple of sentences.
As I said last week, despite the negativity that has surrounded the BSA in the press the last several months I am a weekly participant in a Boy Scout troop as the parent of a Scout, a Merit Badge counselor and a camp out assistant. My point is I have a bird's eye view of what it means to be a Boy Scout. My only regret is I wish I would have participated when I was a teenager.
For example, this fall I taught a merit badge class to a group of primarily 12 and 13 year old boys. The class was on personal management. I guided boys through topics and exercises on setting budgets, investing money, borrowing money and time management. Man, I wish I would have had someone spend time with me learning all that these boys learned when I was their age. As I told them weekly, they are life skills that they can use even when they get to be an old guy like me.
It's about that time of year when we all take stock of our accomplishments over the past year. Then we turn our attention to those things we wish to tackle in the New Year. I have a list of things this year that is ambitious, inspiring and makes me a little uncomfortable - on purpose. I know that even if I only accomplish a portion of what I intend to do that 2013 will be a great year. I can't wait to get started.
Before I do, though I want to take time to work the Scout Oath in to my consciousness so that while I am attempting to do all that I have set out to do that I do it in a way that feels right. Let's see, on my honor, do my best, my God, my Country, obey 12 tenants of Scout Law, help other people, physically strong, mentally awake, morally straight. Yep, that should do just fine.
Last year the Boy Scouts celebrated their 100th anniversary. I may not be the smartest guy to ever go to a Boy Scout meeting but even I can figure out that things of value always last. Times have changed and our culture presents both tremendous opportunities and challenges, even for organizations like the BSA. Their message has never changed. And it is just as relevant for all of us today and every day in the New Year as it was 100 years ago. Happy Scouting!
This week, let's focus on the Scout Oath: On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight. I challenge you to find a better personal mission statement that has more compelling desired outcomes than that one in only a couple of sentences.
As I said last week, despite the negativity that has surrounded the BSA in the press the last several months I am a weekly participant in a Boy Scout troop as the parent of a Scout, a Merit Badge counselor and a camp out assistant. My point is I have a bird's eye view of what it means to be a Boy Scout. My only regret is I wish I would have participated when I was a teenager.
For example, this fall I taught a merit badge class to a group of primarily 12 and 13 year old boys. The class was on personal management. I guided boys through topics and exercises on setting budgets, investing money, borrowing money and time management. Man, I wish I would have had someone spend time with me learning all that these boys learned when I was their age. As I told them weekly, they are life skills that they can use even when they get to be an old guy like me.
It's about that time of year when we all take stock of our accomplishments over the past year. Then we turn our attention to those things we wish to tackle in the New Year. I have a list of things this year that is ambitious, inspiring and makes me a little uncomfortable - on purpose. I know that even if I only accomplish a portion of what I intend to do that 2013 will be a great year. I can't wait to get started.
Before I do, though I want to take time to work the Scout Oath in to my consciousness so that while I am attempting to do all that I have set out to do that I do it in a way that feels right. Let's see, on my honor, do my best, my God, my Country, obey 12 tenants of Scout Law, help other people, physically strong, mentally awake, morally straight. Yep, that should do just fine.
Last year the Boy Scouts celebrated their 100th anniversary. I may not be the smartest guy to ever go to a Boy Scout meeting but even I can figure out that things of value always last. Times have changed and our culture presents both tremendous opportunities and challenges, even for organizations like the BSA. Their message has never changed. And it is just as relevant for all of us today and every day in the New Year as it was 100 years ago. Happy Scouting!
Friday, December 7, 2012
I wish I was a Boy Scout
I have a teenage son who has spent the last three years in the Boy Scout program. This program has not gotten much press lately that isn't bad. Frankly, I think that's a shame. I had no affinity for Scouts before 2009. Never spent a day in my life doing it. If not for the urging of my wife (like most of the good decisions in my life) I would have never gotten myself or my son involved. Now I am more enthusiastic about it than my son is. I go on camp outs, I teach merit badge classes, I volunteer whenever and however I can. I can't get enough.
One of my passions in life is teaching and leading young men to learn life skills. I have found my sweet spot with the Boy Scouts. I also teach a group of 7th grade boys in a Sunday School class at church every week. There are striking similarities between the two. Most of all I love learning from them and being able to share with them the few small nuggets of wisdom I might have learned over the years. Mostly earned by my own stupidity, I might add. The phrase "do as I say, not as I do" comes to mind.
I want to spend the next two weeks digesting two of the pillars of the Scouting program. The Scout Law this week and the Scout oath next week. I think there are life, business, personal and who knows what other areas of our lives that could benefit from reading and studying these "mission statements."
A Scout is: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Thrifty, Cheerful, Brave, Clean and Reverent.
I was tempted to take each characteristic and spent a week on it but thought I lose people somewhere between courteous and kind. Even if you just take each characteristic at face value it's not a bad way to live your life. Instead of spending the next several weeks reading my deeper thoughts about each one I would challenge you to reflect upon these one by one and ask yourself how they apply to you personally, professionally and ideologically. I am convinced there is some gold to be mined here.
How much would your personal relationships improve from working on being courteous, kind and cheerful? Wouldn't your customers and stakeholders be more inclined to think of you more positively (and give you more business) if you were trustworthy, helpful and thrifty? Wouldn't you like to be known as a person who is loyal, brave and reverent.
I think you get the picture. I think the Scouts have gotten it for a long time. These characteristics and values don't change with the economy, the political parties or the latest technology. Tried and true these values make us all a better nation. God bless the USA and God bless the BSA.
One of my passions in life is teaching and leading young men to learn life skills. I have found my sweet spot with the Boy Scouts. I also teach a group of 7th grade boys in a Sunday School class at church every week. There are striking similarities between the two. Most of all I love learning from them and being able to share with them the few small nuggets of wisdom I might have learned over the years. Mostly earned by my own stupidity, I might add. The phrase "do as I say, not as I do" comes to mind.
I want to spend the next two weeks digesting two of the pillars of the Scouting program. The Scout Law this week and the Scout oath next week. I think there are life, business, personal and who knows what other areas of our lives that could benefit from reading and studying these "mission statements."
A Scout is: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Thrifty, Cheerful, Brave, Clean and Reverent.
I was tempted to take each characteristic and spent a week on it but thought I lose people somewhere between courteous and kind. Even if you just take each characteristic at face value it's not a bad way to live your life. Instead of spending the next several weeks reading my deeper thoughts about each one I would challenge you to reflect upon these one by one and ask yourself how they apply to you personally, professionally and ideologically. I am convinced there is some gold to be mined here.
How much would your personal relationships improve from working on being courteous, kind and cheerful? Wouldn't your customers and stakeholders be more inclined to think of you more positively (and give you more business) if you were trustworthy, helpful and thrifty? Wouldn't you like to be known as a person who is loyal, brave and reverent.
I think you get the picture. I think the Scouts have gotten it for a long time. These characteristics and values don't change with the economy, the political parties or the latest technology. Tried and true these values make us all a better nation. God bless the USA and God bless the BSA.
Friday, November 23, 2012
A week for Thanks
Call me sentimental and trite. Skip over this one if you choose, however I think this year is as good a time as any to pause and give thanks for the blessings I have, the freedoms I enjoy and the ability I have to make a difference in the lives of others.
I am blessed with a wonderful family both at home and at work. I am thankful that I can truly say I work with people that I can call family. It is a wonderful way to come to work every morning, to work hard every day and to look back on every evening. I wish some of my friends who are unhappy in their jobs could experience what I get to experience every day. I am blessed with good health. In the last year I have lost a significant amount of weight and maintained a healthy lifestyle to keep the weight off. Three years ago this week I spent 12 days in the hospital waiting to have surgery. I am glad that this year I don't have to drink only juice and water on Thanksgiving but rather get to enjoy my wife's wonderful meal.
I am thankful to live in a country where I have the freedom to speak, vote, pray and live any way I choose without fear of persecution or retribution. I have friends all over the world and while there are many wonderful places to visit I cannot imagine living anywhere else. Even though we are divided on many issues in this country I believe that through adversity we have and will continue to become stronger. I am grateful for those who have given their lives for the freedoms I enjoy and do not take for granted not minimize the sacrifices of those who have given more than I ever could to enjoy more than I will ever deserve.
I am grateful for the small impact I can make every day in a few lives that I come across. I do not see myself as anything bigger than I am but I do enjoy the opportunity to lead and teach others and hope I can add value to each situation and personal encounter I am involved in by giving a little of myself. The more I give of myself the more enjoyment I continue to gain out of life. I don't say this with pride or self-promotion but rather as one who took too long to learn this lesson and wishes I would have gotten to this point in my life much sooner.
So on this week of Thanksgiving, like most of you I am sure, I am extremely grateful for all of the things I take for granted throughout the year. I am resolved to not just pause to give thanks this week but to strive to have an attitude of gratitude that guides me throughout the year. If we would all embrace that mindset I suspect that we would have no choice but to turn every week in to Thanksgiving week. Because if for no other reason one week would not be enough time to give thanks for the abundance we have to enjoy.
I am blessed with a wonderful family both at home and at work. I am thankful that I can truly say I work with people that I can call family. It is a wonderful way to come to work every morning, to work hard every day and to look back on every evening. I wish some of my friends who are unhappy in their jobs could experience what I get to experience every day. I am blessed with good health. In the last year I have lost a significant amount of weight and maintained a healthy lifestyle to keep the weight off. Three years ago this week I spent 12 days in the hospital waiting to have surgery. I am glad that this year I don't have to drink only juice and water on Thanksgiving but rather get to enjoy my wife's wonderful meal.
I am thankful to live in a country where I have the freedom to speak, vote, pray and live any way I choose without fear of persecution or retribution. I have friends all over the world and while there are many wonderful places to visit I cannot imagine living anywhere else. Even though we are divided on many issues in this country I believe that through adversity we have and will continue to become stronger. I am grateful for those who have given their lives for the freedoms I enjoy and do not take for granted not minimize the sacrifices of those who have given more than I ever could to enjoy more than I will ever deserve.
I am grateful for the small impact I can make every day in a few lives that I come across. I do not see myself as anything bigger than I am but I do enjoy the opportunity to lead and teach others and hope I can add value to each situation and personal encounter I am involved in by giving a little of myself. The more I give of myself the more enjoyment I continue to gain out of life. I don't say this with pride or self-promotion but rather as one who took too long to learn this lesson and wishes I would have gotten to this point in my life much sooner.
So on this week of Thanksgiving, like most of you I am sure, I am extremely grateful for all of the things I take for granted throughout the year. I am resolved to not just pause to give thanks this week but to strive to have an attitude of gratitude that guides me throughout the year. If we would all embrace that mindset I suspect that we would have no choice but to turn every week in to Thanksgiving week. Because if for no other reason one week would not be enough time to give thanks for the abundance we have to enjoy.
Friday, November 16, 2012
What's the Plan?
Raise your hand if you feel like summer just ended and like me you're wondering how in the world we are celebrating Thanksgiving next week? I see you all out there. I don't know where the fall goes but the older I get the shorter they get. In seemingly a few days we will all be celebrating the New Year of 2013. Ok, again, just me or wasn't Y2K just a couple of years ago? Ah, but I digress.
This time of year brings out many thoughts and emotions - mostly good - surrounding a time to celebrate family and friends, reflect on the year's accomplishments and ponder what changes are needed in the New Year. For a business owner like myself, it's time to take a significant amount of time to evaluate budgets, expenses, cash flows and sales plans and try to project out my company's goals and objectives.
Some of you may be rolling your eyes at this point thinking this sounds like a business text book. Maybe so, but if I were you I would stop doing that and stop rolling the dice with your future while you're at it. In case you haven't noticed we live in some rather trying times. Many things that we all used to count on like clock work are either gone or have dramatically changed and I suspect that most of your businesses have changed dramatically in the last 5 years, if not the last 5 months.
My point? If you don't have a plan, then you don't have a prayer. I'm serious. It used to be that with hard work and determination you could accomplish almost anything. My message today is you better have a serious road map that you're trying to navigate with or you are going to be lost and hard to find. Especially for your customers. I am not here to suggest any particular method or system but I am suggesting that you do something to make sure that every day you have a set of goals and objectives that you're trying to achieve in order to increase your unique value proposition in your marketplace. I don't care if you're a self-employed entrepreneur or the president of a Fortune 500 company it is more true today than it's ever been - if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
Don't you admire people who are able to do a seemingly incredible amount of work, always seem to be moving up no matter what the economy is doing and who are always able to take on more and stop to lend a hand or a kind word? I suggest to you that these people have an incredible set of goals they are working for and towards every day. They don't have any more time than you and I do, they just make better use of their time and know what they need to do every hour of every day - and what they need to not do to distract them from reaching their goals.
So as you prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving next week with family and friends let me suggest you take some time alone to jot down some ideas and let them baste with the turkey. Hopefully by the time the left overs have all been eaten up and the Holiday season is in full swing, you will be too!
This time of year brings out many thoughts and emotions - mostly good - surrounding a time to celebrate family and friends, reflect on the year's accomplishments and ponder what changes are needed in the New Year. For a business owner like myself, it's time to take a significant amount of time to evaluate budgets, expenses, cash flows and sales plans and try to project out my company's goals and objectives.
Some of you may be rolling your eyes at this point thinking this sounds like a business text book. Maybe so, but if I were you I would stop doing that and stop rolling the dice with your future while you're at it. In case you haven't noticed we live in some rather trying times. Many things that we all used to count on like clock work are either gone or have dramatically changed and I suspect that most of your businesses have changed dramatically in the last 5 years, if not the last 5 months.
My point? If you don't have a plan, then you don't have a prayer. I'm serious. It used to be that with hard work and determination you could accomplish almost anything. My message today is you better have a serious road map that you're trying to navigate with or you are going to be lost and hard to find. Especially for your customers. I am not here to suggest any particular method or system but I am suggesting that you do something to make sure that every day you have a set of goals and objectives that you're trying to achieve in order to increase your unique value proposition in your marketplace. I don't care if you're a self-employed entrepreneur or the president of a Fortune 500 company it is more true today than it's ever been - if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
Don't you admire people who are able to do a seemingly incredible amount of work, always seem to be moving up no matter what the economy is doing and who are always able to take on more and stop to lend a hand or a kind word? I suggest to you that these people have an incredible set of goals they are working for and towards every day. They don't have any more time than you and I do, they just make better use of their time and know what they need to do every hour of every day - and what they need to not do to distract them from reaching their goals.
So as you prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving next week with family and friends let me suggest you take some time alone to jot down some ideas and let them baste with the turkey. Hopefully by the time the left overs have all been eaten up and the Holiday season is in full swing, you will be too!
Friday, November 9, 2012
Better Together
Last weekend I had a chance to do one of those things I talk about a lot. I set aside my schedule for the greater good. Here in Dallas, where the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization is headquartered there is a three day walk held every year to raise awareness and money to fight the horrible disease that has affected us all - breast cancer. Through contacts with a local woman who I'll affectionately call CC our company was motivated to get involved in the "3 Day" as it's called here by setting up a cheering station for the hundreds of people participating. More about that shortly.
Saturday was one of those November days you can only get in Dallas. Cloudless, sunny and about 85 degrees. Perfect weather for an afternoon outside to facilitate the impromptu tailgate party we threw to coincide with our cheering station. Not so perfect weather if you are walking 20 miles for the second day in a row with another 20 staring at you for Sunday. My family, associates and new friends we met by partnering up with another group of CC's friends and supporters had a great time. Some of the walkers looked a little worn out, frankly as we were stationed around mile 16.
I got to see some old friends I knew that were participating and I got to encourage hundreds of people who were an encouragement to me. It was hard to ignore the t-shirts, pins and other paraphernalia that indicated who or whom the people were doing the walk for. Some who had previously lost the fight and some who continue to battle on. That was the sobering part and the part that caused me to introspectively consider what a great event I was witnessing and getting to participate in, even if only in a very small way.
It got me thinking how much good we can all do if we set aside our differences and focus on the big picture and the things that matter most. I happened to have on a shirt representing my college alma mater - which drew some cheers and a few jeers from the passers by. There was every race imaginable participating and in attendance with our group. Different political, religious and socio-economic groups, no doubt. All in one place. All in the name of making a difference for us all.
This week we elected and re-elected those who will govern us for the next several years. From a political and ideological standpoint our country is more divided than at any time in her history. And yet we all share many of the same desires, hopes and dreams. None of us will ever forget 9/11. Out of the horror and tragedy of that event was the most beautiful things I have ever witnessed in my life. Sadly, it only lasted a few short weeks. And those days have long since ended.
For a few brief weeks we all set aside our differences. We realized that in the end we are all one people, one land and one nation under God. I long for those days when we all will work together as one for the greater good of our friends and neighbors, despite our differences. Last weekend I got a small glimpse of it and realized again that we are Better Together.
Saturday was one of those November days you can only get in Dallas. Cloudless, sunny and about 85 degrees. Perfect weather for an afternoon outside to facilitate the impromptu tailgate party we threw to coincide with our cheering station. Not so perfect weather if you are walking 20 miles for the second day in a row with another 20 staring at you for Sunday. My family, associates and new friends we met by partnering up with another group of CC's friends and supporters had a great time. Some of the walkers looked a little worn out, frankly as we were stationed around mile 16.
I got to see some old friends I knew that were participating and I got to encourage hundreds of people who were an encouragement to me. It was hard to ignore the t-shirts, pins and other paraphernalia that indicated who or whom the people were doing the walk for. Some who had previously lost the fight and some who continue to battle on. That was the sobering part and the part that caused me to introspectively consider what a great event I was witnessing and getting to participate in, even if only in a very small way.
It got me thinking how much good we can all do if we set aside our differences and focus on the big picture and the things that matter most. I happened to have on a shirt representing my college alma mater - which drew some cheers and a few jeers from the passers by. There was every race imaginable participating and in attendance with our group. Different political, religious and socio-economic groups, no doubt. All in one place. All in the name of making a difference for us all.
This week we elected and re-elected those who will govern us for the next several years. From a political and ideological standpoint our country is more divided than at any time in her history. And yet we all share many of the same desires, hopes and dreams. None of us will ever forget 9/11. Out of the horror and tragedy of that event was the most beautiful things I have ever witnessed in my life. Sadly, it only lasted a few short weeks. And those days have long since ended.
For a few brief weeks we all set aside our differences. We realized that in the end we are all one people, one land and one nation under God. I long for those days when we all will work together as one for the greater good of our friends and neighbors, despite our differences. Last weekend I got a small glimpse of it and realized again that we are Better Together.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Find Your Happy Place
As I have posted several times, we don't have to look too hard to find bad news. I'm sorry to say it but much of the news media exists on their ability to bring to us the most shocking, negative and heartbreaking stories they can find. People's reputations and privacy go out the window if there is a story that can be told. I continue to try very hard to stay up in a very down world. It's not always easy but it's always rewarding and a lot more fun.
Monday this week I did something I love to do but rarely find time for at this stage of my life. I took most of the day off and played golf. It was a perfect day for at least 5 reasons I can think of:
1) I love to play golf
2) I was able to play golf and support a very worthwhile charity
3) It was a spectacular 65 and sunny day in Dallas - with no wind
4) I got to spend time with my dad outside of work
5) I actually played pretty darn well for a guy who only plays 4-5 times a year!
Sure, I could have made an excuse why I couldn't go and I could have stayed at work with my "nose to the grindstone" but look at that list. Look at all the good I was able to do with an investment of one day and a few bucks to help benefit others. That's pretty great, huh?
It took some planning, it took an investment of time and money, it took some sacrifices but guess what? It was worth 100 times more than what it cost - check that, 10,000 times! I am a better person because of it and I hope that everyone I come in contact with notices the difference in me too and not just because of my sunburned forehead. Are you like me where sometimes you plan or sign up to do something and when the time comes you are thinking to yourself "why did I do that? I have at least 100 other things that are more important." Then out of duty or necessity you do it anyway and you end up being so grateful that you made yourself do something different? I love that.
What a great lesson to (re)learn and to use to remind myself that sometimes it's okay to veer off from my daily routine and throw responsibilities to the side in order to do something just for me! Don't get me wrong, the end result is not that I am a self-indulgent buffoon who thinks the world revolves around me. To the contrary, the result is I am a better boss, co-worker, husband and father. It's a self-reinforcing loop. The better I feel about myself, the better I feel about my roles in my life. The better I feel in my roles the more effective and efficient I am at performing them. And so on....
So I would challenge you this week to think about what you need to do to create some time to invest in yourself? What hobby, activity or appointment do you need to make to put yourself back on track and make you a better person - a person that gets attention from others for the right reasons? Maybe you just need an hour of idle time to reflect and recharge. Or maybe you need to make some wide-sweeping changes that require a significant investment of time and money.
Whatever is needed get started now. You can think of 100 reasons why you can't but there is at least one incredible reason why you must. Because everyone is counting on you. There's some good news for you to take with you as you go about your business.
Monday this week I did something I love to do but rarely find time for at this stage of my life. I took most of the day off and played golf. It was a perfect day for at least 5 reasons I can think of:
1) I love to play golf
2) I was able to play golf and support a very worthwhile charity
3) It was a spectacular 65 and sunny day in Dallas - with no wind
4) I got to spend time with my dad outside of work
5) I actually played pretty darn well for a guy who only plays 4-5 times a year!
Sure, I could have made an excuse why I couldn't go and I could have stayed at work with my "nose to the grindstone" but look at that list. Look at all the good I was able to do with an investment of one day and a few bucks to help benefit others. That's pretty great, huh?
It took some planning, it took an investment of time and money, it took some sacrifices but guess what? It was worth 100 times more than what it cost - check that, 10,000 times! I am a better person because of it and I hope that everyone I come in contact with notices the difference in me too and not just because of my sunburned forehead. Are you like me where sometimes you plan or sign up to do something and when the time comes you are thinking to yourself "why did I do that? I have at least 100 other things that are more important." Then out of duty or necessity you do it anyway and you end up being so grateful that you made yourself do something different? I love that.
What a great lesson to (re)learn and to use to remind myself that sometimes it's okay to veer off from my daily routine and throw responsibilities to the side in order to do something just for me! Don't get me wrong, the end result is not that I am a self-indulgent buffoon who thinks the world revolves around me. To the contrary, the result is I am a better boss, co-worker, husband and father. It's a self-reinforcing loop. The better I feel about myself, the better I feel about my roles in my life. The better I feel in my roles the more effective and efficient I am at performing them. And so on....
So I would challenge you this week to think about what you need to do to create some time to invest in yourself? What hobby, activity or appointment do you need to make to put yourself back on track and make you a better person - a person that gets attention from others for the right reasons? Maybe you just need an hour of idle time to reflect and recharge. Or maybe you need to make some wide-sweeping changes that require a significant investment of time and money.
Whatever is needed get started now. You can think of 100 reasons why you can't but there is at least one incredible reason why you must. Because everyone is counting on you. There's some good news for you to take with you as you go about your business.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
The Hard Part About Humility
Humility. There, I said it. As you read that word I'm guessing several thoughts and emotions enter your mind. I'm assuming most of them are negative. There aren't many leadership classes, books or seminars devoted to teaching the fine points of humility. In fact, we are programmed to be aggressive, vocal, out front and BOLD. Not to mention to look out for Number 1.
Thanks to my teenage kids I have become reluctantly exposed to a term recently that summarizes how I am afraid many in our society justify everything from rudeness to reckless abandon. YOLO - You Only Live Once. It is true obviously but I believe that living the kind of lifestyle that YOLO encourages is a dangerous path to walk on, even though many if not most do. The path of humility is a much less crowded path and one that I hope I can convince you is worth checking out.
As with any idea or plan that goes against what the vocal majority thinks you should do be prepared to encounter some questions and criticisms. As with many noble endeavors you have to ignore your critics and do what you know is right. Easy to say and hard to do? Of course. In most struggles though it is my experience that once you have thwarted the initial attack from an adversary or enemy they tend to either quiet down or go away. Besides which, ideas and plans always become better and more clear when they are challenged internally and externally. We may have to change directions but we don't have to change paths to conform with everyone else's ideas.
This leads to the hard part about humility. If you know you're right and yet everyone is challenging you or questioning you, how do you remain strong in the face of adversity? It's human nature to sink back in to old, easy (and presumably bad) habits. The good news is, everyone likes you again. The bad news is you have betrayed yourself and your values and none of us want to live a dual lifestyle.
So why not go for it and be courageous? Get out of your comfort zone and get busy making a difference in your small corner of the world. I believe in the good in every person and I believe everyone is born with an innate desire to be successful and grow even though the definitions of those words are as different for each person as we all are individually. Think about the people you know that have a positive influence on you. A teacher, a coach, a mentor a sibling. Whoever that person is they bring out the best in you. And I bet any negative feelings I created earlier in this post have been overtaken by the positive feelings you have when you think of all those people have done for you.
Guess what? Those people sacrificed themselves to make you a better person. They challenged your thinking and inspired you to visualize a better result than you would have achieved without them. I bet not one of them did it so they could be more respected, admired or because it fueled their ego. They did it out of love, kindness and humility. No one made them do it - they could have been like all the other people in their positions and just decided to "go with the flow." Not these folks though. They had a higher calling.
So my question I leave you with this week is who needs you to challenge them? Who needs you to be true to yourself, true to your values and be more concerned about living a life of significance rather than a life of accomplishments? The other hard part about humility is that many times the only person that recognizes your sacrifices is you. Do it anyway. It's a sure path to becoming the person you truly desire to be.
Thanks to my teenage kids I have become reluctantly exposed to a term recently that summarizes how I am afraid many in our society justify everything from rudeness to reckless abandon. YOLO - You Only Live Once. It is true obviously but I believe that living the kind of lifestyle that YOLO encourages is a dangerous path to walk on, even though many if not most do. The path of humility is a much less crowded path and one that I hope I can convince you is worth checking out.
As with any idea or plan that goes against what the vocal majority thinks you should do be prepared to encounter some questions and criticisms. As with many noble endeavors you have to ignore your critics and do what you know is right. Easy to say and hard to do? Of course. In most struggles though it is my experience that once you have thwarted the initial attack from an adversary or enemy they tend to either quiet down or go away. Besides which, ideas and plans always become better and more clear when they are challenged internally and externally. We may have to change directions but we don't have to change paths to conform with everyone else's ideas.
This leads to the hard part about humility. If you know you're right and yet everyone is challenging you or questioning you, how do you remain strong in the face of adversity? It's human nature to sink back in to old, easy (and presumably bad) habits. The good news is, everyone likes you again. The bad news is you have betrayed yourself and your values and none of us want to live a dual lifestyle.
So why not go for it and be courageous? Get out of your comfort zone and get busy making a difference in your small corner of the world. I believe in the good in every person and I believe everyone is born with an innate desire to be successful and grow even though the definitions of those words are as different for each person as we all are individually. Think about the people you know that have a positive influence on you. A teacher, a coach, a mentor a sibling. Whoever that person is they bring out the best in you. And I bet any negative feelings I created earlier in this post have been overtaken by the positive feelings you have when you think of all those people have done for you.
Guess what? Those people sacrificed themselves to make you a better person. They challenged your thinking and inspired you to visualize a better result than you would have achieved without them. I bet not one of them did it so they could be more respected, admired or because it fueled their ego. They did it out of love, kindness and humility. No one made them do it - they could have been like all the other people in their positions and just decided to "go with the flow." Not these folks though. They had a higher calling.
So my question I leave you with this week is who needs you to challenge them? Who needs you to be true to yourself, true to your values and be more concerned about living a life of significance rather than a life of accomplishments? The other hard part about humility is that many times the only person that recognizes your sacrifices is you. Do it anyway. It's a sure path to becoming the person you truly desire to be.
Friday, September 21, 2012
We're only human
If you're like me over the last year or two you have invested a tremendous amount of time and possibly money setting up, tweaking and refining your social media presence. I held off as long as I could before I created a Facebook page for my personal use and one for my company. Twitter account? Check. Google Plus? Check. Linkedin profile? Check.
I am not here to say that I do not believe in Social Media. Indeed, it is changing the way we work, connect, buy and research new information. Heck, I might have even made a little money along the way by reaping the benefits of my efforts. I know some are making fortunes by doing so - those who I believe have a tremendous amount of time or a very large team of people to devote a full-time effort. What about for the rest of us?
If you're like me with more than a full-time job, a family and a few interests outside of business you probably don't have the time to devote to gaining 1,000+ friends on Facebook or 500+ connections on Linkedin, etc. Again, I really do see the value in Social Media but there is also value in getting other things done that come across my path each day and until my company gets big enough to hire a Social Media and Marketing department I guess I'll have to go on being a part-time Social Media participant. So what's my point?
Recently, I have made a conscious effort to do something a little out of the ordinary. Rather than sitting at my desk emailing, Tweeting, posting or updating, I'm using the telephone! I hear the collective gasp of all of you. Guess what? I am getting great results using the phone! Why? Because I think so few people are using it today to communicate. Email is the new voice mail. If you are emailing customers and prospects hoping to earn new or more business, good luck to you. You know what I've found? People that used to be difficult if not impossible to reach by phone are not only now returning messages, they are actually (gasp) answering their phones! You know what else I'm finding? Human interaction beats electronic interaction hands down.
Now listen, I am all for turning a cold call in to a warm call or giving a customer a head's up on an upcoming call or idea you want to pitch to them via email or other messaging service but I am telling you there are numerous advantages to connecting via the phone. Just to mention a few:
I am not here to say that I do not believe in Social Media. Indeed, it is changing the way we work, connect, buy and research new information. Heck, I might have even made a little money along the way by reaping the benefits of my efforts. I know some are making fortunes by doing so - those who I believe have a tremendous amount of time or a very large team of people to devote a full-time effort. What about for the rest of us?
If you're like me with more than a full-time job, a family and a few interests outside of business you probably don't have the time to devote to gaining 1,000+ friends on Facebook or 500+ connections on Linkedin, etc. Again, I really do see the value in Social Media but there is also value in getting other things done that come across my path each day and until my company gets big enough to hire a Social Media and Marketing department I guess I'll have to go on being a part-time Social Media participant. So what's my point?
Recently, I have made a conscious effort to do something a little out of the ordinary. Rather than sitting at my desk emailing, Tweeting, posting or updating, I'm using the telephone! I hear the collective gasp of all of you. Guess what? I am getting great results using the phone! Why? Because I think so few people are using it today to communicate. Email is the new voice mail. If you are emailing customers and prospects hoping to earn new or more business, good luck to you. You know what I've found? People that used to be difficult if not impossible to reach by phone are not only now returning messages, they are actually (gasp) answering their phones! You know what else I'm finding? Human interaction beats electronic interaction hands down.
Now listen, I am all for turning a cold call in to a warm call or giving a customer a head's up on an upcoming call or idea you want to pitch to them via email or other messaging service but I am telling you there are numerous advantages to connecting via the phone. Just to mention a few:
- No wait time wondering if your email has been opened or read
- Immediate answers so you can get on with other activities and not have to go back and figure out who you need to follow up with (again).
- Set follow up dates to move the ideas, sales, negotiations forward. Which leads to less time trying to chase down a potential deal a second time.
- Set up a follow up message that will get answered. You can let them know how you will follow up with them so that they can be looking for your Tweet, Message or Email.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Courage in the Face of Uncertainty
I read a story this week of a man who on September 11, 2001 left his Connecticut office and traveled to Manhattan through police blockades and many other obstacles to reach ground zero that afternoon. He watched in horror the events that morning on television like we all did and instead of being paralyzed by fear he was guided by his army training and deep faith to do something. As the story is told he was largely responsible for rescuing the last two people pulled out alive from the wreckage of the Twin Towers.
Most of us will never be faced with such a dramatic or heroic experience. We live pretty normal lives with some difficulties every now and then but rarely are we called on to risk our lives for the greater good or for something we believe in strongly. Nonetheless, we all face struggles, uncertainties and fear. In our jobs, our neighborhoods and our homes. Sometimes we think if we avoid problems long enough they will just go away. When we stop lying to ourselves we'll realize all we've really done is waste a lot of time and probably ended up worrying and fretting much more and longer than we ever intended to.
Times like these scream out for courage. The world needs people who are willing to stand strong in the face of adversity and trials. It's awfully difficult to stand for what you believe in - especially if people are telling you what a fool you are in the process. Yet, I would rather have convictions and find out I'm wrong and make adjustments than to be a coward and never try to do anything. Margaret Mead said it well, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
Change is hard. Change in difficult times or out of necessity can be downright paralyzing. Lately I have made some changes within my company and how we work with our stakeholders, customers and suppliers. Some of these changes are to practices and policies that have been keys to our success for years if not decades. There is resistance, there is reluctance, there is even some weeping and gnashing of teeth. Bring it on! My industry and business has changed 180 degrees in the last few years and continues to change. I bet yours does too. Old ideas don't work - even if they've been wildly successful in the past.
Our challenge today is to venture out to places, things and ideas that have never been tried before. It's to try to reinvent ourselves to adapt to the changing marketplace. Having the courage and conviction to meet those challenges is only the beginning. Some ideas may cost you in the short term. Some ideas will have to be tossed out altogether. The only thing more dangerous is doing nothing and watching your business evaporate before your eyes. I speak from experience because it was happening to me.
I don't have all of the answers and I may not have even asked all of the right questions yet. I can assure you that I have the courage to learn and the tenacity to see it through. How uncertain is your future? How confident are you in your plans to address it? These are two questions worth investing some time in. You can avoid them if you wish but it will cost you in the long run.
Most of us will never be faced with such a dramatic or heroic experience. We live pretty normal lives with some difficulties every now and then but rarely are we called on to risk our lives for the greater good or for something we believe in strongly. Nonetheless, we all face struggles, uncertainties and fear. In our jobs, our neighborhoods and our homes. Sometimes we think if we avoid problems long enough they will just go away. When we stop lying to ourselves we'll realize all we've really done is waste a lot of time and probably ended up worrying and fretting much more and longer than we ever intended to.
Times like these scream out for courage. The world needs people who are willing to stand strong in the face of adversity and trials. It's awfully difficult to stand for what you believe in - especially if people are telling you what a fool you are in the process. Yet, I would rather have convictions and find out I'm wrong and make adjustments than to be a coward and never try to do anything. Margaret Mead said it well, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
Change is hard. Change in difficult times or out of necessity can be downright paralyzing. Lately I have made some changes within my company and how we work with our stakeholders, customers and suppliers. Some of these changes are to practices and policies that have been keys to our success for years if not decades. There is resistance, there is reluctance, there is even some weeping and gnashing of teeth. Bring it on! My industry and business has changed 180 degrees in the last few years and continues to change. I bet yours does too. Old ideas don't work - even if they've been wildly successful in the past.
Our challenge today is to venture out to places, things and ideas that have never been tried before. It's to try to reinvent ourselves to adapt to the changing marketplace. Having the courage and conviction to meet those challenges is only the beginning. Some ideas may cost you in the short term. Some ideas will have to be tossed out altogether. The only thing more dangerous is doing nothing and watching your business evaporate before your eyes. I speak from experience because it was happening to me.
I don't have all of the answers and I may not have even asked all of the right questions yet. I can assure you that I have the courage to learn and the tenacity to see it through. How uncertain is your future? How confident are you in your plans to address it? These are two questions worth investing some time in. You can avoid them if you wish but it will cost you in the long run.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Show Time!
I hope a lot of you got to watch and enjoy the Summer Olympics over the last couple of weeks. I honestly caught bits and pieces but I live in a home where if the TV was on the last two weeks it was tuned only to one of the NBC networks. I'm sure some higher ups at NBC in New York would like to know that. Admittedly, I enjoyed seeing Paul McCartney at the opening ceremony and Queen minus Freddie Mercury at the closing ceremony as much as I did some of the amazing athletes. There are few things in this world I love more than music.
As with most people I can't help but marvel at the feats of some of the athletes. It is a beautiful thing to watch someone like Michael Phelps break a record for the most Olympic medals - a record that has stood for my entire lifetime. I can't help but think of all of the time and effort he has spent over the last 10 years or so preparing, training, practicing and visualizing what it would mean to be the all-time Olympic champion.
The same is true for many of the great athletes. If we could calculate the amount of preparation relative to the amount of time they actually spend competing in the event it would have to be a figure measured in thousands, if not tens of thousands to one. It's hard to imagine being that dedicated to one goal for so long and then win, lose or draw within a matter of minutes, if not seconds, the race is over. Because I am a salesperson, I actually totally get it.
Earlier this month I was in New York for a week. Today some people on my sales team are preparing for trade shows in Atlanta and Dallas and next week I will be in Las Vegas for the MAGIC show which is arguably the most important of all. For my business August is my Olympic stage. Everything that has happened from March to July has been a build up for what will happen next week. Just thinking about being there, seeing customers and discussing business opportunities for early 2013 is a huge adrenaline rush. Please understand, I have never been nor will I ever be anything resembling an Olympic athlete. But I do have a greater appreciation for how it feels before going in to competition.
The pressure to succeed, if I allow myself to think about it is huge. Not only for me but for everyone who works alongside me, those who support me and those whom I support. Just as a star athlete must do, I imagine, I am prepared to block all of that out and be ready to compete to the best of my abilities next week. I am on the show floor for a total of 28 business hours. A minuscule amount of time compared to the time, energy and expense that has gone in to preparing for those 28 hours.
I can only imagine the rush someone like Usain Bolt gets by being the greatest sprinter on the planet. Yet, next Tuesday morning at 9:00 pacific time when the doors of the Las Vegas Convention Center open to customers from all over the world I will put that rush up against any 100 meter dash. Was it worth all the time and effort I put in to it for a mere three days on the show floor? Without question.
It's show time! Let the game begin!
As with most people I can't help but marvel at the feats of some of the athletes. It is a beautiful thing to watch someone like Michael Phelps break a record for the most Olympic medals - a record that has stood for my entire lifetime. I can't help but think of all of the time and effort he has spent over the last 10 years or so preparing, training, practicing and visualizing what it would mean to be the all-time Olympic champion.
The same is true for many of the great athletes. If we could calculate the amount of preparation relative to the amount of time they actually spend competing in the event it would have to be a figure measured in thousands, if not tens of thousands to one. It's hard to imagine being that dedicated to one goal for so long and then win, lose or draw within a matter of minutes, if not seconds, the race is over. Because I am a salesperson, I actually totally get it.
Earlier this month I was in New York for a week. Today some people on my sales team are preparing for trade shows in Atlanta and Dallas and next week I will be in Las Vegas for the MAGIC show which is arguably the most important of all. For my business August is my Olympic stage. Everything that has happened from March to July has been a build up for what will happen next week. Just thinking about being there, seeing customers and discussing business opportunities for early 2013 is a huge adrenaline rush. Please understand, I have never been nor will I ever be anything resembling an Olympic athlete. But I do have a greater appreciation for how it feels before going in to competition.
The pressure to succeed, if I allow myself to think about it is huge. Not only for me but for everyone who works alongside me, those who support me and those whom I support. Just as a star athlete must do, I imagine, I am prepared to block all of that out and be ready to compete to the best of my abilities next week. I am on the show floor for a total of 28 business hours. A minuscule amount of time compared to the time, energy and expense that has gone in to preparing for those 28 hours.
I can only imagine the rush someone like Usain Bolt gets by being the greatest sprinter on the planet. Yet, next Tuesday morning at 9:00 pacific time when the doors of the Las Vegas Convention Center open to customers from all over the world I will put that rush up against any 100 meter dash. Was it worth all the time and effort I put in to it for a mere three days on the show floor? Without question.
It's show time! Let the game begin!
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